GABAPENTIN FOR THE TREATMENT OF SPASTICITY IN PATIENTS WITH SPINAL-CORD INJURY

Our serendipitous observations suggested that some patients with spast icity appeared to have improved following the administration of the an ticonvulsant drug gabapentin. As some patients with spasticity are eit her refractory to or intolerant of established medical treatments, we conducted this study to investigate the effect of gabapentin on spasti city in patients with spinal cord injury. Twenty-five patients with sp inal cord injury and spasticity received oral gabapentin (2400 mg over 48 h) in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled crossover stu dy. We assessed responses by measuring the Ashworth spasticity scale, muscle stretch reflexes, presence of clonus and reflex response to nox ious stimuli. Patient ratings were obtained using a Likert Scale. Admi nistration of gabapentin, but not; placebo, was associated with an 11% reduction in spasticity as measured by the Ashworth Scale (P=0.04) an d by a 20% reduction in the Likert Scale (P=0.0013). Significant chang es were not obtained for the other measures. The data obtained suggest that gabapentin may be useful in the management of spasticity associa ted with spinal cord injury.